If walking without socks (as some prefer), it allows for some foot movement, without feeling too loose, depending on your how tight you lace up.

A little super glue can fix the minor parts and I would say it’s withstood better than what may have been with normal shoes.

The Magna Trail II Firm Ground is for adventure travelling, city living and hiking, made for trails and trailblazers. Durable and water-resistant, it's designed with a knitted collar for a sock-like fit for unlimited natural foot mobility, from trails to cocktails. The outlast thermal insole does an admirable job of prolonging the warmth of your feet when submerged or trekking in the winter and snow.

The only reason these get a 4 is because ultimately, they’re really comfortable and my heel pain has gone. I’ve stopped delaying my review of the Vivobarefoot Magna Trail, finally putting pen to paper on how these have fared after usage over the one and a half years I’ve since had these. Vivobarefoot shoes are designed to mimic the experience of walking and running barefoot while still providing protection and support.They’re substantially warmer than most barefoot shoes out there which is either a blessing or a curse. Something to mention about the style too – I think they look pretty sharp and appropriate for many scenarios!

For daily use in the fall, winter, and spring I think these shoes are excellent – whether it’s going to the supermarket or up some mountains. A hybrid blend between the ESC Tempest, Magna Trail, and Tracker, the new Vivobarefoot Magna Forest ESC combines elements of all three into one shoe.This smart thermal layer responds to the naturally changing temperatures of your feet, keeping them warm or cooling them down. The wide toe box feels natural without feet sliding inside, and blends slick, lightweight design with outdoor performance. Besides the Vivobarefoot Tracker which is more heavy-duty, thicker, and heavier than the Magna Trail, these are great travel companions that aren’t cumbersome to travel and wear, unless the most extreme conditions demand it. Personally I love the olive colored ones my friend has and the burgundy/wine colored one his girlfriend uses, however the full-black ones which I sport are sleek and work with any outfit I have. ESC definitely have more grip though I found the FG grip to definitely be enough – even for challenging scrambles (Devils Head, Alberta, for reference).